Cool video. A cool fact is that s30v was developed by Dick Barber in collaboration with good ole Chris Reeve. The other cool thing is that they also sought input from other big knifemakers like Spyderco, Ernest Emerson, and Paul Bos. CPM s30v was really a collaboration across the knife industry.
Well, fortunately Magnacut is superior in all major material properties to 1095. It's tougher, it's stainless, and it has higher edge retention. Main downside is that it's harder to sharpen. You can put an edge on a dull piece of 1095 using a river rock and a lot of effort. You'll need dedicated sharpening abrasives to put an edge on Magnacut.
@6:55 There is an extra detail missing here IMO. Not a metallurgist, but what I absorbed from LT's article was that the amount of chromium that stays in solution vs. forming carbide crystals does indeed affect the stainless properties, but equally important, is that those chromium carbides, should they form, are larger and softer than the carbides from the other elements in the steel, thus reducing wear resistance (dulls faster). The presence of those large chromium carbides used to be considered an unavoidable tradeoff in stainless steels from what I gather, but this process/recipe changed the game.
Great catch! We didn't want to get too deep in the weeds, this is probably the nerdiest video Blade HQ has ever put out. But you're 100% correct. Larrin's process for MagnaCut is groundbreaking! -George
As I understand it, that's one of the main reasons for the large amount of vanadium and niobium; carbon bonds more strongly to those elements than it does chromium.
@@ZakWilson It also helps that vanadium carbides are particularly hard, increasing the wear resistance/edge retention without sacrificing stainless properties.
Devin doesn't just make stainless Damascus, but he is one of the very few guys who does make stainless damascus. You have entire facilities like Clarke knives in the UK that doesn't even have the capacity for that. It's very very rare to see "anyone" that isn't basically a steel mill or operation like damassteel that makes stainless damascus. Stainless steels are not the low alloy stuff you see being "forged in fire" in the traditional crude method of making knives by making steel hot and and whacking it with a hammer. What makes magnacut special is it's a whole new class of stainless steel. Its got great things for knives, namely hardness+toughness combo with the fine grain, basically think of AEBL that is obviously much less machinable, so it it's harder to work with and grind but also holds an edge much longer. I think of it like super AEBL even though they aren't actually related. the balance of properties being highly suitable for knives is whats related. It's like the long awaited high edge retention upgrade to AEBL.
When’s that Mordax hit the site? Looks more like an exclusive with the milled handles and inlayed button but the link just takes you to the production ones that are out of stock
Until we find the magic steel, the balance between steel properties will exist. We're not quite there yet. BTW, I'm making 5 knives out of MagnaCut steel right now in my shop, and I am a fan of Larren Thomas!
When someone buys a knife with Magnacut steel, how can we find out what the screws are made from. If I want a rust proof knife, it makes sense to want to know this.
Can't speak for other makers, but Spyderco's Salt series of knives makes sure it uses hardware and liners that are just as stainless as the blade steels. They don't specify the exact steels they use for the hardware and such, but then again most people don't care as long as it does the job.
What are the best MagnaCut knives on the market? I want a small one for hunting and a large one for survival. The idea is to have two knives with me that allows me to do just about anything.
Vanax Superclean is another miracle steel. Its corrosion resistance and edge retention combination is incredible. I just wish we saw it on more knives! -George
Here we go again new steel to raise the price on the blades and the knives I wish people would open their eyes and see what the companies are doing I for one will not buy any knife that has his Magnacut Steel because it literally polka your eyes out of you believe them goodbye
It’s always “ the new best steel “ pushed by nerdy dudes who get a paycheck to say it’s good. How can people emphasize a knife being good when it’s literally just a overpriced box cutter, & even that title might be exaggerated.
Not saying it isn't great but is this just a nerd steel for those guys and gals to spend all their money on to brag to their friends? I'm still using D2 and have not had a problem with it much less the 9cr stuff. Keep clean, sharpen and move on.
Different steels help knives do different jobs. You wouldn't want a D2 blade as a dive knife, you wouldn't want 8Cr13MoV as a straight razor, and you wouldn't want S125V as a hard use chopper. However, the cool thing about Magnacut as a knife steel is, you could reasonably use it for all of those jobs due to it's balanced performance in edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. For people who make knives, it's pretty exciting. For people who use knives, it's not too shabby, either. Will people use owning a Magnacut knife as a bragging point? Of course. Is it better in every material property than D2 and 8/9Cr13MoV? Absolutely!
Magnacut is a great steel but only when heat treated properly per Larrin's protocols. At first it seemed companies and makers wanted to do thier own thing and the result was poor performance, but most are now getting it right now it seems. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable
no shock there. knife land has forever been full of not very bright lights lets just say. it's shocking that the whole knife world was that much behind the ball such that one man with a real college education could change the entire industry. that is mind blowing.
Great discussion of Case knife steels. When will they get into the 21st century? Their designs rock, but yeah, they should replace their proprietary 420, tru-sharp stainless with magnacut if/when they can. edit: And just as I say this, I notice that Case has released a new series in buffalo horn with s35vn blades for about 140 apiece. Okay, they are not totally asleep.
I was just getting to reply that I’d be happy to even see something like S30V or any of the decent powdered metal steels. 😂 I had no idea that they have finally stepped into this century either. That’s good to know and hear though. I like Case knives and they’re made about an hour and a half away from me in my home state.
We always drove past Crucible when I was younger and it just looks like this vacant facility but as I got older you learn about all the crazy things they make steel for.
Unfortunately it seems that its magical properties really only work when it's heat treated properly and some companies are nonsensically scared of running heat treats that hard (63-64 HRC).
I have 2 Magnacut blades ... A Tactile Knife Rockwall Thumbstud and a Buck 110 ... Both came screaming sharp and are holding their edge despite my abuse.
That's not the cpm furnace. That's the aod furnace in the melt shop. Which is also the building you showed. We're actually pouring that steel right now, when I'm typing this up.
At the end of the day, the steel is only as good as it’s heat treatment. And few years down the road, there will be another _super_ steel to get everyone riled up about. Remember D2?
S30V has better edge retention than Magnacut, but much less toughness and corrosion resistance. Magnacut is slightly better in edge retention than 154CM, slightly worse in edge retention than stuff like S30 and M390, and is about on par with S35VN. Some of the stuff with the craziest edge retention (S90V, S125V) tend to a little harder to deal with because their low toughness makes the edges chippy.
I'd bet anything you watched this video on a smartphone. Why does anyone need anything more advanced than a nokia brick? Why does anyone want a steel that is less prone to rust, keeps an edge longer and less likely to chip? Because it has superior qualities
I just picked up a Benchmade Osborne 945 in MagnaCut. When I got home I took a swipe at a slightly woody golden rod stem that was growing in front of my mailbox and developed a nice shiny area on my knife. 😮
I’m a really odd duck when it comes to sharpness. Things are so bad I find myself sharpening new Xacto blades, because they just aren’t sharp! (Just need to start thinking of getting blades that will hold a scalpel edge)
I purchased the Blade HQ exclusive Microtech Ultratech with a Magacut blade steel. It was extremely hard to open. I tried oiling it. No improvement. I dropped the knife. It's now much easier to open. Weird.
This is a really well done video. Well spoken. If a 5 year old can understand, bravo. Amazing presentation skills and very informative. I have a benchmade tanto m4 steel and always looking for the next better steel. Thinking this the “magna cut” or for a fixed blade the a blade with the “cru-wear”
I live in Syracuse, NY near the Crucible factory and had NO idea they made the Magnacut steel! I just bought a Benchmade with CPM MagnaCut blade and knowing the steel may have come from my own back yard for my knife is incredible!!
Magnacut will blow them both away. Check out outpost 76’s channel on here. He has a LOOOT of really great edge retention tests between all the big popular steels. Cedric&Ada is another great knife steel channel. He does a lot of edge retention as well as sharpening and corrosion resistance tests.
George, I think this was your best video. Usually, you look very uncomfortable in front of the camera. However, this video you seemed relaxed, probably because you were talking about a topic you have a lot of knowledge, therefore making you comfortable. Good Job.
I've had several Magnacut blades and it is the real deal of done right. My first Deka from the first run missed the mark. Too soft at like 60.5, it was surprisingly equal to LC200N. My second Deka was worlds better. Apparently they changed the process as it was advertised at 63, and tested there too. My Ritter Hogue came in at 64.1, and it's hard to believe what it can do.
@@acid6urns There needs to be specifics as to what ‘treated right’ vs ‘treated badly’ means. The manufacturer tend to not want to publicize their HT specifics. For example, we’ve had to beg Spyderco for details on their forum. It would be nice if Larrin posted what good was for his creation.
@@BladeHQ I wasn't joking! Having a blade more stain and corrosion resistant than the supporting parts like liners and washers doesn't make sense. At least the only vulnerable part of the Spyderco Salt series is the lockbar, right?
Where does magnacut fall into the line of edge retention? What does it compare to? How will it hold up to hunting as far as skinning and quartering an animal?
It stands up very well. Virtuovice has done a couple videos where he's using it (Bark River/Magnacut) for butchering deer. It's very much like CPM Cruwear, maybe a tad better in edge holding & very stainless. I have several hunting knives in different steels, so I have a pretty good reference on what works. Magnacut always seems a bit better overall. A lot (4x) tougher than M390. If I had to rely on 1 knife (steel) for hunting, Cruwear or Magnacut would be my two choices. With Magnacut being the most trouble-free. Snow, rain, salt...won't matter. This stuff is REALLY resistant to rusting. But Cruwear is no slouch as a hunting knife! The only reason Magnacut wins is its stainlessness, edge holding is really about equal to Cruwear. Not too bad to sharpen either, usually just a stropping after a lot of use will bring it right back. It's a really nice fine grained steel to live with. Holds the edge a long time. CATRA is about 550+. Similar to Elmax & M4, but again, it's tougher than either one of those, but less tough than 3V/A2. Most knives are heat treated between 60.5 Rc & 62 Rc. The weird part is, it's a stainless steel that's technically not stainless. Hope this helps a bit. The "best" is always subjective though. One man's meat is another man's poison.
As CPM 3V tool steel with Nathan Carothers Delta heat treatment proces is without a doubt one of the best and strongest Tool steel's Available for making knives and I EDC the CPK UF2 In Delta 3V which is a six inch fixed blade knife called the utility fighter 2 Or UF2 for Short And it's the best knife I've ever carried
@@Frank-ss6py The only thing 3V is exceptional at is toughness. And there are other steels just as tough (AEB-L, 420HC, 14C28N) that won't rust if you look at the ocean too long. Also there are steels that are only slightly less tough, but with much better edge retention (M4, K390, Vanadis-8, Magnacut). And of course, there's TONS of popular steels that give a more balanced spread of toughness, edge retention, and stainlessness. What makes Magnacut unique (there's no such thing as "the best" knife steel, it depends on what the knife is used for, by who, and in what environment) is that it offers high levels of toughness, stainlessness, and edge retention. It's not simply "a balanced steel", it does better than average at everything. Compared to your favored 3V, which only has exceptional toughness at the expense of middle-of-the-road edge retention and corrosion resistance.
@@theKashConnoisseur I know, my comment was misleading thank you for the correction, I love 154CM the perfect balance for me, easy sharpening compared to others, it holds and edge
What good is a Super (hard to sharpen) Steel if not field friendly? Super Steel is great until your deep in the back country without all the fancy tools required for sharpening. I say super steel is better defined as (in the city steel). 1095 does al I need.
You'll need to sharpen 1095 often to keep it working. With a good super steel, it won't go dull. You might touch up the edge once or twice a year if you do a lot of cutting. And it doesn't take any fancy tools to keep these modern steels sharp, either. All you'd need is a 1000 grit diamond stone, which is affordable, lightweight, and as easy to use as any traditional wetstone. You could easily put a diamond plate in your backpack and enjoy hair-whittling edges on modern powdered metallurgy steels deep in the backwoods. No water required!
@@theKashConnoisseur I agree with you 100% about edge retention of the super steels. Yes I sharpen 1095 constantly but relatively quick and in a tight spot with a choice stone I can find about anywhere. I can't do that with super steel. I understand most folks don't stay in the bush as I do, but if/when they do will discover the dilemma. Great video and thanks.
@@DonTharp Diamond sharpening plates are not very heavy, you could easily carry one with you. You obviously have access to modern conveniences, you can order a sharpening stone to put in your backpack. You don't need to rely on the odd river rock. Besides, with a modern super steel, you don't need to sharpen them to regain the edge. Usually, you can use a simple leather strop and get it back to razor sharp. Surely you have access to leather out there in the backwoods. And even if you don't, the blade will stay sharp until you get back home to your internet connection and your proper sharpening system using diamond plates and lapping compounds. They retain the edge that long, honestly.
Magnacut is not only changing the knife world.... but it's going to flip it on its head..... once knife makers nail down the proper heat treat protocols......and it becomes more widely available..... the whole knife world is going to change..... for the good!!!!!
Larrin's own testing shows Magnacut's toughness roughly matching 4V or Vanadis 4E, but below ultra-tough steels like 3V. It's also below high-toughness stainless steels like 14C28N, AEB-L, and LC200N except at very high HRC. Those steels give up some wear resistance for that toughness though. Where Magnacut unique is combining toughness, wear resistance, and stainlessness.
That's right but it's very modest to say "some wear resistance" it's not some, magnacut is in a whole other class. And yes at high hardness, like say 64 rc, AEBL and Magnacut have basically the same toughness, but magnacut will be majorly higher in "edge retention."
@@escapetherace1943 About the same, maybe slightly better machinability, but the issue you have is you're probably not using the right abrasives for the job. If you're going to dabble with vanadium steels even the mainstream "mortal" ones like s30v and s35v, you're gonna want to use diamonds. If you use diamonds then it really doesnt make a difference if you're grinding vg10 or s30v or s90v it all cuts about the same on diamonds.
@@jeffhicks8428 I see. I always sharpened on stone, I got one with some diamond grit recently but, I still prefer stones. I really just like somewhat softer steels in general
@@escapetherace1943 If you're trying to grind chunky EDC knives with vanadium steels on waterstones, you're gonna have a bad time. Basically the vanadium carbide is going to put up a hell of a fight. If you really prefer whetstones, like I do as well, but dont want to pay a lot of money for bonded diamond stones, I suggest something like silicon carbide. For example a $30 Norton Crystylon oil stone, I suggest the "fine" grit which is actually quite course and can regrind bevels. Then I suggest something like a 1k Sigma select 2 stone, which uses green silicon carbide and can cut vanadium steels. Or you can use diamond powder, or compound, which is cheap if you know where to get it, on a substrate like wood. Something like 500 grit diamond powder on wood like birch or basswood. and you strop on it, this will create a foil but you can polish it off with something like 3 to 5 micron diamond afterwards. Or like you said, just skip the vanadium steels.
Stay tuned for our MagnaCut field test video! Coming Soon! 🙌🙌
what axe is that in the background?
Cool video. A cool fact is that s30v was developed by Dick Barber in collaboration with good ole Chris Reeve. The other cool thing is that they also sought input from other big knifemakers like Spyderco, Ernest Emerson, and Paul Bos. CPM s30v was really a collaboration across the knife industry.
I cannot wait for Magnacut in Spyderco's and especially the Benchmade 940.
Great, quick history of the steel- nicely done.
Thanks to Esee, my favorite steel is 1095. Looking fwd to trying out a magnacut blade though.
Well, fortunately Magnacut is superior in all major material properties to 1095. It's tougher, it's stainless, and it has higher edge retention. Main downside is that it's harder to sharpen. You can put an edge on a dull piece of 1095 using a river rock and a lot of effort. You'll need dedicated sharpening abrasives to put an edge on Magnacut.
Definitely a 1095 fan myself
@6:55 There is an extra detail missing here IMO. Not a metallurgist, but what I absorbed from LT's article was that the amount of chromium that stays in solution vs. forming carbide crystals does indeed affect the stainless properties, but equally important, is that those chromium carbides, should they form, are larger and softer than the carbides from the other elements in the steel, thus reducing wear resistance (dulls faster). The presence of those large chromium carbides used to be considered an unavoidable tradeoff in stainless steels from what I gather, but this process/recipe changed the game.
Great catch! We didn't want to get too deep in the weeds, this is probably the nerdiest video Blade HQ has ever put out. But you're 100% correct. Larrin's process for MagnaCut is groundbreaking! -George
As I understand it, that's one of the main reasons for the large amount of vanadium and niobium; carbon bonds more strongly to those elements than it does chromium.
@@ZakWilson It also helps that vanadium carbides are particularly hard, increasing the wear resistance/edge retention without sacrificing stainless properties.
Hello Blade HQ! Do you know the hardness on Microtech M390 steel by chance?
Just bought a Scott Gossman Polaris in MagnaCut. Extremely excited. Best $430 I've ever spent on a knife.
George, do a video of your knife collection! great content!
What’s the ax hanging in the background?
An amazing steel that symbolizes innovation and achieving the once thought impossible
That's an interesting Mordax. I'm happy with my unmilled, blue anodized version though.
Great presentation
Devin doesn't just make stainless Damascus, but he is one of the very few guys who does make stainless damascus. You have entire facilities like Clarke knives in the UK that doesn't even have the capacity for that. It's very very rare to see "anyone" that isn't basically a steel mill or operation like damassteel that makes stainless damascus. Stainless steels are not the low alloy stuff you see being "forged in fire" in the traditional crude method of making knives by making steel hot and and whacking it with a hammer.
What makes magnacut special is it's a whole new class of stainless steel. Its got great things for knives, namely hardness+toughness combo with the fine grain, basically think of AEBL that is obviously much less machinable, so it it's harder to work with and grind but also holds an edge much longer. I think of it like super AEBL even though they aren't actually related. the balance of properties being highly suitable for knives is whats related. It's like the long awaited high edge retention upgrade to AEBL.
When’s that Mordax hit the site? Looks more like an exclusive with the milled handles and inlayed button but the link just takes you to the production ones that are out of stock
Great video. Love metalnerdgy!!
I need a shirt that says "I ❤ metalnerdgy". -George
@Blade HQ Indeed , we 😎 used to say this YEARS ago when I was a machinist apprentice, and I worked in a machine shop.
@@BladeHQ Yes....t-shirt idea!
Until we find the magic steel, the balance between steel properties will exist. We're not quite there yet. BTW, I'm making 5 knives out of MagnaCut steel right now in my shop, and I am a fan of Larren Thomas!
When someone buys a knife with Magnacut steel, how can we find out what the screws are made from. If I want a rust proof knife, it makes sense to want to know this.
Can't speak for other makers, but Spyderco's Salt series of knives makes sure it uses hardware and liners that are just as stainless as the blade steels. They don't specify the exact steels they use for the hardware and such, but then again most people don't care as long as it does the job.
That Microtech is so cool. John Wick! LOL
Give me that native 5 salt now spyderco!
What are the best MagnaCut knives on the market? I want a small one for hunting and a large one for survival. The idea is to have two knives with me that allows me to do just about anything.
Was hoping to hear a shout out to lc200n
What about a Vanex Superclean?
Vanax Superclean is another miracle steel. Its corrosion resistance and edge retention combination is incredible. I just wish we saw it on more knives! -George
My case knives must be defective because they work just fine.
is this another steel where CPM and non are different ala D2?
So far as I'm aware, the only way to get MagnaCut is CPM. -George
Can someone tell me where that green mordax is from??
Pro-Tech! -George
@@BladeHQ Yeah but i dont see one on the website
I'll take M390 and ELMAX over magnacut...
You’re history is backwards, m4 came first then m390
Here we go again new steel to raise the price on the blades and the knives I wish people would open their eyes and see what the companies are doing I for one will not buy any knife that has his Magnacut Steel because it literally polka your eyes out of you believe them goodbye
It’s always “ the new best steel “ pushed by nerdy dudes who get a paycheck to say it’s good.
How can people emphasize a knife being good when it’s literally just a overpriced box cutter, & even that title might be exaggerated.
Not saying it isn't great but is this just a nerd steel for those guys and gals to spend all their money on to brag to their friends? I'm still using D2 and have not had a problem with it much less the 9cr stuff. Keep clean, sharpen and move on.
Different steels help knives do different jobs. You wouldn't want a D2 blade as a dive knife, you wouldn't want 8Cr13MoV as a straight razor, and you wouldn't want S125V as a hard use chopper. However, the cool thing about Magnacut as a knife steel is, you could reasonably use it for all of those jobs due to it's balanced performance in edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. For people who make knives, it's pretty exciting. For people who use knives, it's not too shabby, either.
Will people use owning a Magnacut knife as a bragging point? Of course. Is it better in every material property than D2 and 8/9Cr13MoV? Absolutely!
Magnacut is a great steel but only when heat treated properly per Larrin's protocols. At first it seemed companies and makers wanted to do thier own thing and the result was poor performance, but most are now getting it right now it seems. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable
no shock there. knife land has forever been full of not very bright lights lets just say. it's shocking that the whole knife world was that much behind the ball such that one man with a real college education could change the entire industry. that is mind blowing.
Satisfying presentation. Telling the back story to a production is an efficient strategy to keep enthusiasts engaged.
History Class with George!! More history please! I have the Protech Strider magnacut it bad to the bone!
Your wish is our command! 👍 - Ben G
Absolutely killing it, George. Great video!
Great discussion of Case knife steels. When will they get into the 21st century? Their designs rock, but yeah, they should replace their proprietary 420, tru-sharp stainless with magnacut if/when they can. edit: And just as I say this, I notice that Case has released a new series in buffalo horn with s35vn blades for about 140 apiece. Okay, they are not totally asleep.
I was just getting to reply that I’d be happy to even see something like S30V or any of the decent powdered metal steels. 😂 I had no idea that they have finally stepped into this century either. That’s good to know and hear though. I like Case knives and they’re made about an hour and a half away from me in my home state.
We always drove past Crucible when I was younger and it just looks like this vacant facility but as I got older you learn about all the crazy things they make steel for.
Unfortunately it seems that its magical properties really only work when it's heat treated properly and some companies are nonsensically scared of running heat treats that hard (63-64 HRC).
Like every other metal on earth.
I hope Larrin Thomas got a fat check from Crucible or a percentage of sales.
I have 2 Magnacut blades ... A Tactile Knife Rockwall Thumbstud and a Buck 110 ... Both came screaming sharp and are holding their edge despite my abuse.
That's not the cpm furnace. That's the aod furnace in the melt shop. Which is also the building you showed. We're actually pouring that steel right now, when I'm typing this up.
Ordered the manix 2 salt in magnacut. With Spyderco you can’t go wrong in the heat treatment.
Same and agreed.
At the end of the day, the steel is only as good as it’s heat treatment. And few years down the road, there will be another _super_ steel to get everyone riled up about. Remember D2?
Now we're all about CPM D2 and CTS XHP.
I call BS. I have a custom Gersh magnacut blade at 63-64 hrc. My s30v blade is keeping up with it as far as edge retention.
S30V has better edge retention than Magnacut, but much less toughness and corrosion resistance. Magnacut is slightly better in edge retention than 154CM, slightly worse in edge retention than stuff like S30 and M390, and is about on par with S35VN. Some of the stuff with the craziest edge retention (S90V, S125V) tend to a little harder to deal with because their low toughness makes the edges chippy.
It’s amusing that people now need a super steel to open cardboard boxes.
It has been that way for at least 20 years.
It's not a matter of need, it's a matter of want! And I want it bad! -George
I'd bet anything you watched this video on a smartphone. Why does anyone need anything more advanced than a nokia brick? Why does anyone want a steel that is less prone to rust, keeps an edge longer and less likely to chip? Because it has superior qualities
@@codys5727dumb comparison :P
@@horizonVic thank you for your input. Your simple response has given me insight on the remainer of decisions I make in life. You're a hero
I should've paid more attention in chemistry class 😂
Really excited for that field test video!
You and me both! 😂 - Ben G
Do we know the hardness level for the new Microtech coming out ?! :)
7 months later.it's on a leatherman!
Cpm 20cv is not quiet the same as M390. M390 s better
It is, that's why I like ELMAX. I have about 5 Kershaw Links in M390...
I just picked up a Benchmade Osborne 945 in MagnaCut. When I got home I took a swipe at a slightly woody golden rod stem that was growing in front of my mailbox and developed a nice shiny area on my knife. 😮
Now I still know nothing.
I’m a really odd duck when it comes to sharpness.
Things are so bad I find myself sharpening new Xacto blades, because they just aren’t sharp!
(Just need to start thinking of getting blades that will hold a scalpel edge)
I wonder, is this steel stuff kind of a marketing scam? Any thoughts?I'm new to the game (2021)
Lc200n, you skipped over how awesome that steel is. I’ll believe it when I see it for magnacut. Till I can wear it in the ocean, It’s a hard pass
I purchased the Blade HQ exclusive Microtech Ultratech with a Magacut blade steel. It was extremely hard to open. I tried oiling it. No improvement.
I dropped the knife. It's now much easier to open. Weird.
This is a really well done video. Well spoken. If a 5 year old can understand, bravo. Amazing presentation skills and very informative. I have a benchmade tanto m4 steel and always looking for the next better steel. Thinking this the “magna cut” or for a fixed blade the a blade with the “cru-wear”
So far my MagnaCut Sebenza is holding an edge every bit as well as my 941 in M4. We'll see if it sharpens easier when it finally needs it.
is the Pro-Tech Mordax still made? I cant find the one you have in this video anywhere.
Makes sense I took machine shop in school. Let's make à knife out of something that cuts steel like butter.
The way he closed the Mordax bothered me 😖. Just press the button and let the knife cook!
I bought that same inkosi a week ago. Lol happy to see more Chris reeve knives on knife banter
They’re sweet knives! Hope it treats you well, I recently got a sebenza 31 with magnacut
Its awesome to see a new steel anytime but this is like mind blowing
I live in Syracuse, NY near the Crucible factory and had NO idea they made the Magnacut steel! I just bought a Benchmade with CPM MagnaCut blade and knowing the steel may have come from my own back yard for my knife is incredible!!
There's no "may" have come, it's 100% from there :) Be proud.
I noticed that you completely left out how hard it is to sharpen
Whats the hardness on the Ultratech Magnacut ?
I cringe everytime I see MC on a folding knife.
Does it lose points in corrosion resistance as the steel gets harder ?
How quickly the hype moved to 15v.
What is that axe in the background?
Would be interested in a comparison between magnacut, S90v and S35vn side by side
👀 - Ben G
Magnacut will blow them both away. Check out outpost 76’s channel on here. He has a LOOOT of really great edge retention tests between all the big popular steels. Cedric&Ada is another great knife steel channel. He does a lot of edge retention as well as sharpening and corrosion resistance tests.
@@cfltitanit’ll blow s35 away in every metric basically, but it’ll lose to the s90v in edge retention.
Magnacut is based on 4V not M4 steel
the downside is always the price
I want magnacut on a fucking balisong
Great video! Lots of great information thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! - George
George, I think this was your best video. Usually, you look very uncomfortable in front of the camera. However, this video you seemed relaxed, probably because you were talking about a topic you have a lot of knowledge, therefore making you comfortable. Good Job.
I've had several Magnacut blades and it is the real deal of done right. My first Deka from the first run missed the mark. Too soft at like 60.5, it was surprisingly equal to LC200N.
My second Deka was worlds better. Apparently they changed the process as it was advertised at 63, and tested there too. My Ritter Hogue came in at 64.1, and it's hard to believe what it can do.
Ewww. LC? I really hope magnacut outperforms that one. I’d cry.
@@YaYa-ke1zrhe just said it did when it was treated right, and that the first batch was HT badly.
@@acid6urns There needs to be specifics as to what ‘treated right’ vs ‘treated badly’ means. The manufacturer tend to not want to publicize their HT specifics. For example, we’ve had to beg Spyderco for details on their forum. It would be nice if Larrin posted what good was for his creation.
@@YaYa-ke1zr larrin has posted what is the correct HT… it needs to be around 63-64 HRC to perform at its full potential.
@@acid6urns Yes but not in all of the manufacturer forums to call out why some are treating it too low.
I've got a JW meridian folder with magnacut. It's great
How's elmax steel?
Please release the Kershaw Launch 4 in Ultem and Magnacut hehe thank you!!
i check that page every day lol
@@chipe420 hard same 🥲
Wait until the day it’s so plentiful it’s even used for handle liners.
That will be an interesting day! -George
@@BladeHQ I wasn't joking! Having a blade more stain and corrosion resistant than the supporting parts like liners and washers doesn't make sense. At least the only vulnerable part of the Spyderco Salt series is the lockbar, right?
Gotta get me some of that
Where does magnacut fall into the line of edge retention? What does it compare to? How will it hold up to hunting as far as skinning and quartering an animal?
It stands up very well. Virtuovice has done a couple videos where he's using it (Bark River/Magnacut) for butchering deer. It's very much like CPM Cruwear, maybe a tad better in edge holding & very stainless. I have several hunting knives in different steels, so I have a pretty good reference on what works.
Magnacut always seems a bit better overall. A lot (4x) tougher than M390. If I had to rely on 1 knife (steel) for hunting, Cruwear or Magnacut would be my two choices. With Magnacut being the most trouble-free. Snow, rain, salt...won't matter. This stuff is REALLY resistant to rusting.
But Cruwear is no slouch as a hunting knife! The only reason Magnacut wins is its stainlessness, edge holding is really about equal to Cruwear.
Not too bad to sharpen either, usually just a stropping after a lot of use will bring it right back. It's a really nice fine grained steel to live with. Holds the edge a long time.
CATRA is about 550+. Similar to Elmax & M4, but again, it's tougher than either one of those, but less tough than 3V/A2. Most knives are heat treated between 60.5 Rc & 62 Rc.
The weird part is, it's a stainless steel that's technically not stainless. Hope this helps a bit.
The "best" is always subjective though. One man's meat is another man's poison.
@@firstjohn3123 Thank you for your reply. Make great points
Architect knives just started making there knives with magnacut 26 January 2024, I ordered a architect AK 6.5 in magnacut the day they released them.
Trust 4130
Well magnacut might be the best new stainless steel to come out in a really really long time ...I think I'll stick with 3V
As CPM 3V tool steel with Nathan Carothers Delta heat treatment proces is without a doubt one of the best and strongest Tool steel's Available for making knives and I EDC the CPK UF2 In Delta 3V which is a six inch fixed blade knife called the utility fighter 2 Or UF2 for Short And it's the best knife I've ever carried
@@Frank-ss6py The only thing 3V is exceptional at is toughness. And there are other steels just as tough (AEB-L, 420HC, 14C28N) that won't rust if you look at the ocean too long. Also there are steels that are only slightly less tough, but with much better edge retention (M4, K390, Vanadis-8, Magnacut). And of course, there's TONS of popular steels that give a more balanced spread of toughness, edge retention, and stainlessness. What makes Magnacut unique (there's no such thing as "the best" knife steel, it depends on what the knife is used for, by who, and in what environment) is that it offers high levels of toughness, stainlessness, and edge retention. It's not simply "a balanced steel", it does better than average at everything. Compared to your favored 3V, which only has exceptional toughness at the expense of middle-of-the-road edge retention and corrosion resistance.
Awesome information, Bro! Well done. :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)
i have many powdered steel knives, I like154CM, protech uses it, it really holds a sharpening longest with easy sharpening.
154CM would be the ingot version of CPM 154. If it's 154CM it's not a powdered steel.
@@theKashConnoisseur I know, my comment was misleading thank you for the correction, I love 154CM the perfect balance for me, easy sharpening compared to others, it holds and edge
What good is a Super (hard to sharpen) Steel if not field friendly?
Super Steel is great until your deep in the back country without all the fancy tools required for sharpening.
I say super steel is better defined as (in the city steel).
1095 does al I need.
You'll need to sharpen 1095 often to keep it working. With a good super steel, it won't go dull. You might touch up the edge once or twice a year if you do a lot of cutting. And it doesn't take any fancy tools to keep these modern steels sharp, either. All you'd need is a 1000 grit diamond stone, which is affordable, lightweight, and as easy to use as any traditional wetstone. You could easily put a diamond plate in your backpack and enjoy hair-whittling edges on modern powdered metallurgy steels deep in the backwoods. No water required!
@@theKashConnoisseur I agree with you 100% about edge retention of the super steels.
Yes I sharpen 1095 constantly but relatively quick and in a tight spot with a choice stone I can find about anywhere. I can't do that with super steel.
I understand most folks don't stay in the bush as I do, but if/when they do will discover the dilemma. Great video and thanks.
@@DonTharp Diamond sharpening plates are not very heavy, you could easily carry one with you. You obviously have access to modern conveniences, you can order a sharpening stone to put in your backpack. You don't need to rely on the odd river rock.
Besides, with a modern super steel, you don't need to sharpen them to regain the edge. Usually, you can use a simple leather strop and get it back to razor sharp. Surely you have access to leather out there in the backwoods. And even if you don't, the blade will stay sharp until you get back home to your internet connection and your proper sharpening system using diamond plates and lapping compounds. They retain the edge that long, honestly.
Mega Cool Microtech Ultratech Switchblade Otf Knife Awesome Knife Looks great I Want That Knife But Is not Legal To Have In Switzerland
“I wouldn’t baton it through wood” the steel type wouldn’t be my worry about batoning that knife, it’s the fact that it’s a folder…
I’m excited 😜
The
Magnacut is not only changing the knife world.... but it's going to flip it on its head..... once knife makers nail down the proper heat treat protocols......and it becomes more widely available..... the whole knife world is going to change..... for the good!!!!!
Larrin's own testing shows Magnacut's toughness roughly matching 4V or Vanadis 4E, but below ultra-tough steels like 3V. It's also below high-toughness stainless steels like 14C28N, AEB-L, and LC200N except at very high HRC. Those steels give up some wear resistance for that toughness though. Where Magnacut unique is combining toughness, wear resistance, and stainlessness.
That's right but it's very modest to say "some wear resistance" it's not some, magnacut is in a whole other class. And yes at high hardness, like say 64 rc, AEBL and Magnacut have basically the same toughness, but magnacut will be majorly higher in "edge retention."
@@jeffhicks8428 yes but how easy is it to sharpen? I hate s30v
@@escapetherace1943 About the same, maybe slightly better machinability, but the issue you have is you're probably not using the right abrasives for the job. If you're going to dabble with vanadium steels even the mainstream "mortal" ones like s30v and s35v, you're gonna want to use diamonds. If you use diamonds then it really doesnt make a difference if you're grinding vg10 or s30v or s90v it all cuts about the same on diamonds.
@@jeffhicks8428 I see. I always sharpened on stone, I got one with some diamond grit recently but, I still prefer stones.
I really just like somewhat softer steels in general
@@escapetherace1943 If you're trying to grind chunky EDC knives with vanadium steels on waterstones, you're gonna have a bad time. Basically the vanadium carbide is going to put up a hell of a fight. If you really prefer whetstones, like I do as well, but dont want to pay a lot of money for bonded diamond stones, I suggest something like silicon carbide. For example a $30 Norton Crystylon oil stone, I suggest the "fine" grit which is actually quite course and can regrind bevels. Then I suggest something like a 1k Sigma select 2 stone, which uses green silicon carbide and can cut vanadium steels. Or you can use diamond powder, or compound, which is cheap if you know where to get it, on a substrate like wood. Something like 500 grit diamond powder on wood like birch or basswood. and you strop on it, this will create a foil but you can polish it off with something like 3 to 5 micron diamond afterwards. Or like you said, just skip the vanadium steels.
Thanks, just bought Ben's Fixed blade in magnacut
Too bad all the big names like Rick Hinderer run it soft so their customers never get a chance to see Magnacut in it’s true colors 😂
Bought a microtech ultratech with the magnacut blade. $350 and it came dull...
I'd love to see Spyderco do the Waterway in this stuff. Maybe a BHQ Exclusive? *nudge, nudge*
52100 is my favorite steel I have a ridiculously high bevel and it's razor sharp. I feel like M390 is so common that its mehhh now.
Wish Spiderco would do a Paramilitary 2 and Para 3 with Magnacut. I need a new one and will wait for magnacut
👍
I don't know, I still haven't gotten my Magnacut Native yet, even though I ordered it over a year ago. LOL.